Temperature15 – 24 °C
Natural range
- Southeastern Canada area
- Northeastern United States
- Canada area
- United States
Predators UnusualConservation status: Least concern LC
Other scientific names: Amia canina, Amia cinerea, Amia lentiginosa, Amia lintiginosa, Amia marmorata, Amia occidentalis
The mudfish, Amia or Bowfin, scientific name Amia Calva, belongs to the family Amiidae.
- Required aquarium volume
- 1000 L
- Size in aquarium
- 90 cm
- Temperature
- 15 – 24 °C
- Temperament
- Semi-peaceful (including aggression during spawning / intraspecific conflicts)
Parameters
Water pHSlightly acidic (6) – Neutral (7.5)
Water dHVery soft (3) – Hard (15)
Water salinityno salt (freshwater)
Size in aquarium90 cm
Lifespan30 years
TemperamentSemi-peaceful (including aggression during spawning / intraspecific conflicts)
Toward small fishpredator
Required aquarium volume1000 L
Lightingdimmed
Substratesandy (regular, light)
Water flownone or stagnant (no flow)
FeedingMeat / protein (live, frozen, fresh)
CareSolitary + other species (large / compatible)
Description
Adults reach a length of 60–90 cm. The fish has an elongated body with a large head and a large mouth, studded with many sharp teeth.
Refers to lungfish, capable of absorbing oxygen not only from water, but also from atmospheric air.
Habitat
Originates from North America from the southeastern part of Canada and the northeastern United States.
Behavior and compatibility
Not an aggressive, calm fish, although it is one of the predators.
Care and maintenance
Despite the size of adult specimens, there is no need for a very large aquarium, since Mudfish are not very mobile.
Diet
A predator in nature, it feeds on almost everything it can catch - other fish, crustaceans, amphibians, etc. In a home aquarium, you can eat not only live food, but also fresh or frozen foods, for example, pieces of earthworms, mussels, shrimp, and fish.
Breeding and reproduction
They are not bred in aquariums.
Frequently asked questions
The essentials: size, tank volume, water parameters and care
How big does Amiya get?
An adult reaches 90 cm in length. Plan the tank around the maximum size: the fish quickly outgrows a cramped setup.
What size aquarium does Amiya need?
The minimum recommended volume is 1000 L. A smaller tank speeds up nitrate build-up and raises stress levels.
What water parameters does Amiya need?
Temperature 15–24 °C, pH 6–7.5, hardness 3–15 dGH. Stability matters more than exact values: sudden swings are harder on the fish than a small deviation from the ideal.
How long does Amiya live?
Around 30 years when kept properly. Lifespan depends directly on tank volume, water quality and a varied diet.
Is Amiya aggressive?
Temperament: semi-peaceful (including aggression during spawning / intraspecific conflicts). This is a predatory species — any fish small enough to fit in its mouth will eventually be eaten.
How many Amiya should be kept together?
Recommended setup: solitary + other species (large / compatible). Ignoring this is a common cause of stress and disease.
What does Amiya eat?
Diet type: meat / protein (live, frozen, fresh). Feed small portions that are finished within a couple of minutes — overfeeding does more harm than underfeeding.
What is the scientific name of Amiya?
The scientific name of the species is Amia Calva, family Amiidae. It also appears in the literature as: Amia canina, Amia cinerea, Amia lentiginosa.